Report: Zack Martin considering training camp holdout over contract dispute

The Dallas Cowboys could have some training camp drama brewing regarding starting right guard Zack Martin. The first-team All-Pro is reportedly considering a holdout of training camp due to dissatisfaction with his current contract, according to Adam Schefter.

Although Martin agreed to a contract restructuring early in the offseason to help the Cowboys clear some cap space, he is reportedly unhappy with the team’s efforts to boost his pay.

As Schefter put it: “Martin believes he is ‘woefully underpaid relative to the market.’”

In 2018, Martin signed a six-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys for $84 million. Over the past three seasons, he’s worked with the front office to convert his salary into signing bonuses to help with cap space.

Although Martin has arguably been the best guard in the league, he isn’t currently paid as such. The top-paid guard going into the 2023 season is Chris Lindstrom with the Falcons. He signed a five-year deal in March for $102.5$ million. The Cowboys star is making roughly $6.5 million less per season than Lindstrom.

Even though Martin’s deal was one of the longest at the time he signed, it’s now close to running out.

The Cowboys report to Oxnard, California for training camp on July 24. They start the preseason with a game versus the Jaguars on Aug. 12. Dallas has already practiced this offseason without Martin as he recovered from a soft-tissue injury. The Cowboys have several players capable of swinging from tackle to guard, which will make it easier during training camp if they have to continue on without Martin for any amount of time.

Martin earns ’99’ rating on Madden NFL 24

Martin has made a name for himself at the guard position over the last nine years and on Wednesday, ESPN revealed that Martin is the first guard since Larry Allen in 2003 to receive a perfect Madden rating.

The Cowboys’ starting right guard will have a 99 when Madden NFL 24 comes out, joining, so far, wide receiver Justin Jefferson and defensive tackle Aaron Donald. ESPN will continue revealing the newest members of the “99 club” this week.

Coming out of Notre Dame for the 2014 NFL Draft, Martin had been a two-time captain for the Fighting Irish. The Cowboys selected him with the No. 16 overall pick in the first round. In his first season, he was the only rookie to make the first-team All-Pro list. He was also the first Cowboys rookie to make it since 1969.